Land Rover celebrates 70 years of the 4x4 at Goodwood
A cavalcade of Land Rovers will mark the 70th anniversary of the iconic brand at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
An original Land Rover and one of the last Defenders to be produced will headline the parade at the Sussex estate in a celebration of the popular 4x4s.
The landmark event will see owners of 70 examples of Land Rover models take part in the famous hill-climb through the grounds of Goodwood House on Thursday, 12 July.
The festivities mark seven decades since the original Land Rover was launched at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show.
‘Mr Land Rover’
One of the most eagerly-anticipated models on show will be the Defender 90, owned by Roger Crathorne, which was one of the last models to roll off the production line.
Mr Crathorne, known as ‘Mr Land Rover’, because of his association with the company, said he was thrilled to be taking part in the event.
He said: “I have owned a Land Rover most of my life and have worked for the company for more than five decades.
“I’m thrilled to take part in the anniversary parade up the Goodwood Hill Climb with the other owners and cars as celebration of this landmark.”
Mr Crathorne’s motor will be joined in the parade by the famous 1947 Land Rover prototype registered HUE 166 and an original Range Rover from 1970 bearing the chassis number 40.
Other models on show will include a Series 2 Defender from a 1959 African expedition, as well as the current models from the Discovery and Discovery Sport editions, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, Evoque and Velar.
Silver jubilee
This year also sees the Festival of Speed itself celebrate an important anniversary.
2018 marks the Silver Jubilee of the illustrious event, which started back in 1993 as a rather more modest affair.
The Duke of Richmond and Gordon, founder of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, said the event would be a great occasion.
He added: “We’re honoured to be able to host the Land Rover 70th parade up the hill for our Silver Jubilee.”
Why not grab your tickets and head down to Goodwood Festival of Speed which takes place at the Goodwood Estate, Sussex, from 12th – 15th July.
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